Sustainability considerations are at the heart of many design considerations in modern architecture. With countless designers, architects and builders looking to work towards a sustainable future, choices about materials used, design decisions that promote greener living cycles and a harmonious approach to integrating nature are of great importance.
Welcome to the Jungle House is a powerful example of how sustainability can be highlighted and celebrated within architecture. Built within a rejuvenated heritage facade of rendered masonry, steel, timber and greenery, the Welcome to the Jungle House is situated in an inner-city heritage conservation area. This location is typified by late Victorian row terrace housing and post-industrial warehouse conversions.
This home was brought to vivid new life thanks to Clinton Cole of CplusC Architectural Workshop. Tackling a two-storey shop top house that had fallen into disrepair, the 90sqm triangular site was subject to strict heritage controls during its necessary reconstruction.
Original window openings have been framed in pre-rusted steel and juxtaposed with new openings, framed in gloss white powder coat steel. A black photovoltaic panel array signals the new addition to the original northern facade, harnessing sunlight throughout the day and acting as a billboard for the specific sustainability attributes of the architecture. In stark contrast to the original rendered heritage facade, this panel highlights the melding of the old with the new, drawing attention to the sophisticated integration of sustainability within a design function.
The use of Corian® within the bathroom meant no tiles or grout were needed to bring the new space to life. Basins, Corian benchtops and splashbacks were seamlessly joined together, removing the need for silicone joints. By avoiding tile grout and silicone, the bathroom will never have mould issues, becoming far easier to maintain and clean on a daily basis. With thermoformed basins, and thermoformed vanity drawer fronts, floor-to-wall details and benchtop with splashback detail, Corian® adds a spectacularly unique design aesthetic that’s both practical and attention-grabbing.
Expansion joints between the wall and the floor were avoided through the use of a linear strip drain as the control joint. Corian® stands up to the test of regular usage of the underfloor heating, performing extremely well under a gentle heat load. Not only is this bathroom easy to use and clean, but it offers significant acoustic benefits when contrasted with the cold echoes of fully tiled bathrooms.
With Corian® used across decorative flooring, wall cladding and the benchtop, the sustainability potential for the Welcome to the Jungle home is far superior than with the use of more traditional bathroom materials. Even regular everyday use won’t put Corian® under pressure with its durability and longevity features.
Architects and designers across Australia use Corian® to build innovative and creative design solutions. With a focus on sustainability, aesthetics and environmental impact walk hand in hand any time a Corian product is used. Contact us today to find out more.
